Such a small word. But, the power of that word—if—to manipulate, not only the present, but also reach far into the future, is often underestimated. A vivid example of a “what if” scenario is, what if the captain of the Titanic had heeded the ice warning? How many of those kinds of “what if’s” do you have in your life? Do they ever haunt you? It is one of my biggest struggles, the “what if” of the past.
Today’s Daily Devotion by Hoekstra, was a real help for me, as I struggle through once again the feelings of condemnation for wrong choices I made years ago.
Pressing on to Know the Lord
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
We have noted that humility is one of the relational realities that God wants to develop in our lives so we can live daily by the grace of God. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Here we see evidence of the godly humility that had developed in the Apostle Paul through the years. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended.” When these words were written, Paul had been walking with the Lord for 25 to 30 years. Yet, he admits that he had not “fully arrived.” He confesses that he did not know the Lord so completely that his entire life was a demonstration of resurrection living. Consequently, he had one great goal that directed his life and service: “one thing I do.” His all-consuming passion was to get to know the Lord more and more: “that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10).
One of the significant issues that keeps believers in Christ from knowing the Lord better is their past. Many Christians focus their attention on their past. Failures of the past plague them with condemnation. Wrongs done to them in the past tempt them to self-pity or bitterness. Past successes give false assurance that things must go well today. Past blessings distract them from seeking the Lord’s fresh work in their lives now. Paul gives us all a wonderful example of how to deal with the past: “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Things of the past need not dominate our present. God’s grace can cover past failures and pains. Today, we need to look forward to the next work of grace that He wants to bring forth as we walk on with Him.
God wants us to move forward, looking upward. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The goal is to get to know the Lord better. We are to press toward that goal, exerting all of the spiritual strength and energy that God’s grace supplies. This is our reply to God’s heavenly call to seek Him, to know Him. Along the way, we will partake of the prize that comes with that goal. The prize is every blessing that results from getting to know Him better. Let’s press on to know the Lord! – Bob Hoekstra – Living Christ Ministries
I have bouts of feeling very much controlled by my emotions. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am a “passionate” person. Well being passionate has a price—for me that is usually being consumed by very passionate and emotional feelings. I was once told that God made me passionate, emotional and empathetic, and I should embrace that part of my personality. As I’ve aged I’ve been able to usually allow God to control what I say or how I demonstrate the turmoil that is going on inside of me. Because of my emotions, I feel that the Father has given me a glimpse of the passion He feels towards us, and I am extremely blessed by that.
Comments